How did you become involved with mentoring through the Hillsborough Education Foundation?
I was recruited to HEF by Alex Rodriguez at a lunch with high school classmates. He provided information which I used to research the program goals and requirements. It appealed to me so here I am.
What has been the most rewarding part of mentoring?
The rewards are in the doing, like getting to know two smart, motivated, goal oriented young women who are making decisions that will impact their lives. They also have enjoyably different personalities.
What do you believe is the key to being a quality mentor?
Quality mentoring meets the needs of the mentees. It requires consistency (show up), authenticity (be who you are), and caring. For me caring starts with treating kids as equally respected people. (A fifth grader taught me this 45 years ago). Caring may be gentle or gently confrontational as needed and is always based in kindness, often with a dose of humor. We can prosper around people who know us, like us, and want positive things for us.
When you are not working with students, how do you prefer to spend your free time?
In free time I love reading/learning, usually with music on. I enjoy the creatures who make my 5 acres home and even the mowing involved. Friends and family are central in my life.
What do you hope your mentee(s) will learn from you?
As I tell my mentees, “take what you can use (from me) and leave the rest “. I hope they will...as I have from others who made themselves available to me.
